Nut-locking washer.



' Patented Oct. 3, I899.

J. WALSH, JR. NUT LOCKING WASHER.

(Application filed Mar. 7, 1899.)

(N0 Modal.)

' T T FFIQEEQ JAMES WALSH, JR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

NUT-LOCKING WASHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0.634382, dated October3, 1899.

- Application filed March '7, 1899.

To a whom it ma l concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES WALSH, J12, a citizen of the United States,residing in Phila delphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certainImprovements in Nut-Locks, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

My invention consists of a nut locking washer adapted for general use,such as looking the nuts of rail-joints or securing bolts on carriage orwagon axles or upon different parts of machinery, one object of myinvention being to so construct such anut-locking washer as to insure afirm grip of the same upon the bolt when the nut is screwed up, and afurther object being to provide for the ready release of the washer fromthe bolt when itis desired to remove the same. These objects I attain inthe manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a plan or top View of anut-locking washer constructed in accordance with my invention. Figs. 2and 3 are transverse sections on the line as 00, Fig. 1, showing thewasher applied to a bolt and nut, Fig. 2 showing the nut loose, and Fig.3 showing the nut screwed down. Figs. 4 and 5 are views showing the nutlocked in position by the washer,

.Fig. 4 showing the locking-finger applied to the fiat side of the nut,and Fig. 5 showing the locking-finger applied to the angle of the nut.Figx6 is a plan view of another form of washer embodying my inventionand intended for application to the nuts of carriage or wagon axles.Fig; 7 is a perspective view illustrating the application of this formof washer to the nut. H

The washer 1 (shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3) is of concavo-convex form, or,in other words,

cupped or bowl-shaped, and the central opening in the washer for thereception of the bolt 2 is bounded by a series of curved jaws 3, five ofthese jaws being shown in Fig. 1,so as to form a star-shaped opening inthe washer.

Each jaw has its curved or convex edge so formed that when the washer isslipped over the bolt the said convex edges of the jaws will be incontact therewith, as shown in Fig. 2, and when the nut at is applied tothe bolt 2 and screweddown, as shown in Fig. 3, the flattening out ofthe washer will cause the curved faces 3 of the jaws to bite into thebolt Serial no. 708,120. (No model.)

and take a firm hold thereon, the effect being like that of a vise withfive equidistant jaws closing in simultaneously upon the bolt. Owing tothe rounded or convex shape of the jaws of the washer each jaw possessesgreat strength and takes a firm hold'upon the bolt at some point on thethread of the same, so that when the washer has been flattened and thejaws compressed turning of the washer on the bolt will be practicallyimpossible until the bite of the jaws upon the bolt is released.Projecting from one side of the washer is a finger 5, which after thenut has been screwed down on the bolt may be turned up so as to engagewith said nut, the flat end of the finger engaging with the flat side ofthe nut, as shown in Fig. 4, or a recess 6 in the end of the fingerengaging with the angle of the nut, as shown in Fig. 5, depending uponthe extent to which the nut has been turned. Extend- .ingfrorn thecentral opening of the washer out into the finger 3 is a slot 7, whichimparts such elasticity to the portions of the washer on opposite sidesof the same as to permit said portions of the washer to be sprung apartwhen the nut has been unscrewed and it is desired to remove the washer,this operation being facilitated when desired by cutting or breaking offthe finger 5 at a point inside of the outer end of the slot, so as toform upon the washer two disconnected fingers. By providing a centralopening in the washer with a boundary of rounded or convex jaws not onlyare the strength and good holding power of the latter insured, but anextended bearing is provided for the nut, and the latter is caused toexercise a powerful compressing and flattening influence upon-the jaws.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated my invention as applied to a washerintended for application to a carriage or wagon axle 2, which isflattened at one side. In this case upwardlyinclined rounded or convexjaws are formed upon the fiat side of the washer-opening, as shown at 3so that when the nut 4 is screwed tight upon the axle said jaws willtake a firm hold upon the flat face of the axle. The finger 5,projecting from this washer, is adapted to engage either with the flatside of the nut or with the angle of the same, the latter constructionbeing shown in Fig. 7.

The spring-finger may have at the outer end an eye 8 for the receptionof a wire or hook, whereby it may be pulled outwardly and held in thatposition while the nut is being unscrewed, or apiece of tin or othersheet metal may, after the spring-finger has been pulled out so as toclear the notch in the flange of the nut, be introduced between thefinger and said flange, so as to prevent the finger from entering thesuccessive notches in the flange as the nut is turned in order tounscrew it.

My improved nut-lock is of cheap construc tion, as it can be punched atone operation out of sheet-iron, steel, or other metal having thedesired qualities.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent- A nut-locking washer of bowled or dished JAMES WALSH,J11.

lVitnesses:

WILL. A. BARR, J os. II. KLEIN.

